Massive Open Online Courses: a Success of Cloud Computing in Education Abdulrasheed Mustapha Shamsuddeen H
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Massive Open Online Courses: A Success of Cloud Computing in Education Abdulrasheed Mustapha Shamsuddeen H. Muhammad Abdullahi S. Salahudeen Department of Computer Department of Software Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Science, Bayero University, Kano, Bayero University, Kano, Bayero University, Kano, Kano-Nigeria Kano-Nigeria Kano-Nigeria +2347061588101 +2348039647291 +2347033062838 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ABSTRACT The promising technology used by cloud computing gave Cloud computing is fast becoming the major computing paradigm birth to various educative platforms [6], such as in every aspect of teaching and learning. This computing paradigm MOOC[7], communities of practice[8], eLearning[9], supported the emergence of new learning and teaching platform social networking[10], mobility[11], informal learning called Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). MOOC is mainly management[12], and learning analytics[13]. These delivered via the cloud and it uses the Internet to make education platforms are now scholarly cited as the prominent cloud- based applied solution for restructuring education in the infinitely available to an unlimited scope of participants. This paper st focuses on exploring MOOC as the success of cloud computing in 21 century[14], [15]. education. A qualitative approach of data collection, selection and A relatively new and the most notable form of these analysis were used to systematically review 149 literature for the cloud-based learning and teaching platform, capable of study. The results of the study showed Infrastructure as a Service addressing the scalability and sustainability challenges of (IaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) as the major cloud service education is MOOC[2], [16]–[18]. MOOC is ―massive, model used in education. Additionally, Coursera, edX, Udemy, with theoretically no limit to enrollment; open, allowing Udacity and FutureLearn are the major MOOC providers using anyone to participate, usually at no cost; online, with cloud services and resources to globally promote qualitative learning activities typically taking place over the web; and teaching and learning. Finally, the study outlined the a course, structured around a set of learning goals in a characteristics, types, problems, and prospects of MOOC for defined area of study‖[19]. MOOC is considered as the education delivery. ―gold rush‖ of higher education[20] and used by universities as a prestige marketing tool[20]. CCS Concepts Considering the hike in the cost of schools and low • Applied computing~Distance learning adoption of cloud services by schools, a research of this Keywords: nature will help introduce students to low or free cost Massive Open Online Courses, Education, Cloud Computing, education through MOOC. Likewise, sensitise school Technology administrators about the use of cloud service models in schools which in turn reduces the cost of school 1. INTRODUCTION administration. Hence, this paper sought to review MOOC as the major success of cloud computing in the education Cloud computing is a promising business model[1] for remotely sector. The paper begins by reviewing related literature. It delivering IT infrastructure, software and platforms as services on a then goes on to establishing the methodology, cloud pay-as-you-use basis[2]. Cloud computing is considered as the only computing service models used in education, the state of cost efficient technology[3] that has revolutionised and restructured the art of MOOC in education, characteristics, types, education through its complete support for online teaching[4], benefits and challenges of MOOC, discussion, and learning and research [2]. Today, cloud computing provides an conclusions. effective solution for addressing the scalability issues, financial crises, insufficient qualified staff, low standards and unstable 2. LITERATURE REVIEW policies faced in education[5]. The educational system suffers from small and unequipped classrooms, insufficient qualified staff, low standards and unstable policies[5]. These problems coupled with the exponential demand for qualitative education and diversified enrollment of students[21], [22] placed significant pressure on educational institutions[23]. CoRI’16, Sept 7–9, 2016, Ibadan, Nigeria. Prior studies suggested the use of technology for cost efficient[23] and quality education delivery[24]–[30], thereby addressing the aforementioned challenges. However, the complexity attached to IT (acquisition, maintenance, license, virus attacks, delay, etc) has 141 restrained several educational institutions from its unrelated literature was found which was systematically implementation[31]. filtered based on the inclusion criteria. At the end, 149 works were found to be related and relevant to the study. With the emergence of cloud computing, IT services and For the purpose of analysis, abstract and main findings of infrastructures are now accessed as services rather than acquired as the studies were systematically extracted and analysed assets[32]. For this reason, educational institutions now focus on based on Glaser (1965)constant-comparative qualitative research and teaching rather than IT implementation[21], [23], method of data analysis, previously used by[48], [61], [33], [34]. Consequently, cloud computing leads to delivery of [62]. qualitative education [23], [35], [36], enhances the access to quality educational materials[4] , reduces the cost of investment[37] 4. CLOUD COMPUTING IN through the elimination of locally-hosted infrastructures[38] and EDUCATION will solve the future scalability and sustainability demand of education in the digital era[39]–[41]. Moreover, today, the Cloud computing is an emergent technology[32] that significant spread of education is credited to distance learning offers the medium for seamlessly creating, [42]–[44] and distance learning is supported by cloud collaborating[23], [63], publishing and networking[23] computing[45]. In related studies [5], [26], [32], [35] it has been educational resources. Basically, cloud computing shown that cloud computing services are a necessity for every encompasses three (3) service models: Infrastructure as a educational institution. Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) [64]–[66].These service models One of the most scholarly discussed and cited high- respectively handle the storage, development platforms scale[25]distance learning platform is MOOC[2], [16]–[18], [46]– and application requirements of every educational [48].Dave Cormier coined the term MOOC in 2008[49]–[51]. institution [65]. MOOC efficiently provides out of classroom education[5], [52] and community forums to support interaction among IaaS handles the on-demand processing, storage, geographically dispersed participants[24], [49], [53]. It uses the networking and basic computing requirement of students, Internet to bridge the teaching and learning distance, thereby lecturers and researchers[5], [22], [25], [30]. Examples of ubiquitously collaborating participants and providing open access IaaS are Google Compute Engine, IBM cloud academy, to educational resources via cloud [17]. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines and Google Cloud Storage. Similarly, PaaS is In an investigation of MOOC in education, Devgun[54] revealed built upon IaaS[25] and it provides the frameworks for that MOOC platforms are offering free or low-cost education to programming and deployment of applications[30]. students. Another study by [24] found enhanced and effective Examples of PaaS are Google App Engine, Heroku and learning performance among MOOC participants. In another major Force.com. accordingly, SaaS has been a popular model study [55] discussed MOOC as efficient value and skills for education since the mid-1990s[5]. SaaS primarily uses acquisition initiatives capable of democratising the education web client and network to remotely provide applications, sector. Additionally, [56] posited that certificate acquired through multimedia and web services to users[6]. In essence, it MOOC are not as recognised as certificate acquired through leverages the burden of locally installing applications and traditional university degrees. license acquisition from the user[39], [66] to a Cloud In view of all that has been mentioned so far, one may conclude Service Provider (CSP). Examples of SaaS includes that cloud computing and MOOC are disruptive innovation capable Microsoft Office 365, Google Apps for Education, etc. of seamlessly transforming or destroying education. Also, most of Prior studies[5], [22], [25], [30], [32], [33], [38], [39], the literature presented thus far has dealt with either cloud [66] have shown that IaaS and SaaS are the top enterprise computing in education or state-of-the-art of MOOC. The majority services in the education industry. Educational institutions of the studies are devoid of reviewing cloud computing in uses IaaS to provide storage and processing of educational education with an emphasis on MOOC, hence the focus of this contents[5], [25], [33], [38]. Additionally, SaaS addresses study. software needs to create contents, provide virtual worlds, 3. REVIEW METHODOLOGY collaboration; simulations, resource sharing, video This study primarily adopts software engineering systematic streaming, etc [15], [22], [30], [39], [66]. guidelines for reviews suggested by [57] and previously adopted in Nonetheless, around the benefits of cloud computing lies [25], [58]–[60]. Additionally,